Our Director in National Geographic!

Dr. Akram Khater, the Director of the Khayrallah Program for Lebanese-American Studies is at it again. In case you’re wondering, we’re not certain he sleeps either! This time he provides some historical background for the Syrian-American community. As many of you readers know, the Syrian community has a rich history of immigration to the United States with the first wave in the mid-19th century, and the second starting around 1967. You can read the article in its entirety here.

Here’s the introduction to the article:

The Syrian-American community, at least 159,000 strong according to U.S. Census estimates, spans the political, religious, and cultural spectrum. It includes families whose ancestors peddled goods in New York City in the late 19th century, and medical students who came to the U.S. over the last few decades to complete residencies and find work.

Across this breadth of backgrounds, many Syrian Americans, like Sinan, retain strong ties to their homeland and feel the strain of the conflict threatening to tear it apart.

There are several experts quoted in the article, but Dr. Khater is the first, providing history on the religious factors contributing to immigration for Syrians.

If you are interested in learning more about the Syrian experience in New York City called “Little Syria: An Immigrant Community’s Life & Legacy in NYC,”  see photos from the opening reception of the Arab American National Museum exhibit here.

We are all proud of Dr. Khater and his contribution to this important expose! Please share the good news with your friends and family.